[nabs-l] DSB delaying needed equipment

[Serena]

Sounds like your rehab agency screwed you over! (sorry for the language.) 
Talk to your counselor's supervisor!  Renting a laptop may be cheaper than 
you think.  I haven't had to do this, but my parents did mention that buying 
one isn't too expensive, so, I'm guessing, renting one isn't, either.

You're not alone in having to deal with rehab agencies.  I'm in the middle 
of a similar problem with my commission for the blind ... They know what 
they're doing, but my counselor wasn't being very responsive, until I 
emailed her and carbon copied her supervisor.  I'm still waiting to trade in 
my old BrailleNote for a newer model.  I know the Humanware sales 
representative for my state, so she's being as helpful as she can, despite 
the bureaucracy of the Commission.  Good luck!

Serena


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jewel S." <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 9:06 AM
Subject: [nabs-l] DSB delaying needed equipment


> Dear all,
>
> I am having serious issues with DSB here in North Carolina. I begin
> classes August 16, and have been working toward getting some needed
> equipment. This equipment is a netbook with JAWS, a refreshable
> Braille display, a VictorStream Reader, a Juliette embosser, a
> scanner, OpenBook scanning program and Dusxbury (spelling?), and JAWS
> for my home computer. I have been working very hard on my side to get
> this done in time for classes. However, I was reassigned recently to a
> new VR counselor (by new, I mean green...this is her first position).
> She did not even know who the assessment person *was*, let alone how
> to do an assessment referral, so after I saw one person for review of
> my home computer and basic needs, she did nothing with that
> information, despite him having stated that I needed an assessment
> with a particular computer teacher. It was not until I asked him what
> the next step was again that he said that my counselor should have set
> up the assessment (when I had talked to him the first time, he had
> said that my VR counselor would see the referral sent and I needed to
> just wait for the referral to go through).
>
> Now, because of my counselor's delay in getting the referral done, the
> paperwork has not even been submitted for my equipment. At first, they
> told me it would take two to three weeks to get the equipment. Then
> they said one month. Now they are saying that it could take up to two
> months!
>
> Classes start August 16, and I do not have any of the equipment I
> need. The only method of note-taking I have (other than getting a
> notetaker to take notes for me, which I'd rather not) is my slate and
> stylus. With my physical problems, I can only use a slate for a few
> lines at a time before my wrist and arm begin to hurt very badly, so I
> don't see that as a possibility at all. I do not even have a voice
> recorder, though I am considering whether I have the funds to purchase
> one myself (I am on a very tight budget these days).
>
> I have suggested the solution of renting a laptop until my equipment
> comes in. However, my counselor seems to have taken that to mean that
> I am willing to buy a used laptop on my own. She has suggested places
> to purchase used laptops and said she will look into it also. When I
> asked her whether this would take the place of the laptop promised me
> by DSB, she didn't answer directly but told me that the laptop I would
> purchase would last me throughout my curriculum. But if it's used, how
> can she be so sure? And how does she expect me to pay for such a
> laptop?
>
> Is this appropriate action on the behlaf of my counselor? SWhat should
> I expect to happen? If she is not doing things properly, who should I
> bring this up with?
>
> As I said, classes start in a few weeks. I do not have a way to record
> the classes, type notes, read my books in class, or complete
> worksheets in class. I will basically be stuck relying on other
> students to take notes for me, read exercises to me, and will not be
> able to participate when the class reads the books. I might as well
> not even attend class, for all I will be able to do! From what DSB is
> telling me, it will be halfway through the semester before I get any
> of my needed equipment. Is the renting of a laptop a reasonable
> accommodation while I wait, or should I drop these classes and wait
> until next semester? I will not be able to participate appropriately
> in class without even a laptop, and my grades will be drastically
> effected by this.
>
> Any advice, please?
>
> Yours,
> Jewel Shuping
> Wake Tech Community College
> Raleigh, NC
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/serenacucco%40verizon.net